Ratih screamed when her aunt had just thrown a plastic cup on her head. She rubbed the former throw while cursing softly. Resentment welled up in her heart, adding to the feeling of exhaustion. She should have been lying comfortably without having to face that middle-aged woman.
"You swore at your aunt again, huh?!" The aunt's voice was so loud and full of anger. She really couldn't stop thinking about Ratih's bold attitude. "Remember, Ratih. I have taken care of you since your childhood!"
"Aaaaa! Stop discussing the same thing, Auntie Kani!" Ratih replied fiercely.
Kani gasped. She put on a sad face for a moment. "Why is my fate like this? Oh, My God. I've cared for my sister's child, but she is very disobedient to me when she grows." She said while stroking her chest.
"Auntie! You don't have to pretend to suffer anymore. Auntie should be looking for a job and taking good care of Uncle and Robi. Don't even bother me. Besides, Robi will be getting married soon. Why is he still left unemployed? He dares to conceive other people's children too!"
Kani had thrown a plastic cup for the second time at Ratih. But swiftly, Ratih brushed it off with a hand. As a result, the cup was thrown far to the left of the beautiful woman's position.
"Why are you getting bold like this, Ratih, when you are getting more successful?! At least feel sorry for your uncle lying on the bed. Why did you even buy a house while you kept the certificate of your father's house, huh?! Why don't you come home and repay us?!"
Ratih took a few deep breaths. She kept herself from getting emotional. At least she still knows herself, so she doesn't beat up her aunt. Although she is very good at martial arts, she still has a moral of respect.
"Tell me, how much money do you need, Aunt? And hurry home. Ratih is tired, Auntie. I just got home from work, you know," said Ratih in a softer tone, even though she couldn't get the pain out of her heart.
Kani was silent as she folded her arms. Meanwhile, her eyes were busy looking in all directions. Not long after, Kani cleared her throat. "Auntie is not here to ask for money," said the curt-faced woman.
Ratih smiled wryly. "Then?"
"Auntie wants you to come home, that's all."
"No!" said Ratih quickly. She stared intently at Kani so that the gazes of both of them met one another. "Ratih doesn't want to. Ratih knows why Aunt asked Ratih to come home; I should take care of Uncle, right? Uncle is Auntie's husband. Why do you keep escaping from your responsibility?! Your husband your responsibility! Not me!"
"Don't talk so much! Does the little girl want to be wise?! Oh, My God. You are just a little girl, Ratih! At least hand over the house papers to Auntie. After all, you already bought this house, right? It would be a wise decision."
"Then, if I have given the house papers, do you want to sell the house, right? Then you want to move here. With the excuse of uncle's treatment, is that so? Every month I already give money for treatment. Why is it still not enough?"
Kani just chuckled, even though her nephew's words cornered her. Regarding her husband, who had a stroke, she continued to use it to pressure Ratih. Every month she always receives medical money from her nephew. But that's not enough.
For Kani, Ratih is obliged to provide for herself and her family in the name of reciprocity. Because after the death of Ratih's parents, Ratih was taken care of by her.
However, on the other hand, humans just have limited patience. Ratih is tired. Four years ago, she decided to move, leaving the house left by her father, which the Kani family now occupies.
"Ratih, watch your words." Kani softened her voice. "You must remember our take care, Ratih."
"Yes, I always remember! As well as giving money every month. Especially? Tuition fee? I always use scholarships. The rest of you forces me to become a maid even though the house is in my name, and it should be you who must return the favour to me!" Ratih is no less annoyed. She could no longer shake off that annoying feeling and brought up old problems again.
"Ratih! You must watch your talk! I-in fact, I asked you to go home because bad rumours about you are circulating here!"
Ratih laughed a little. A second later, she said, "Haha! You who spreads bad gossip about me. And then, do you want to be a hero to me after spreading the bad gossip? Please say, don't be prestige. How much money who you need, Auntie? And hurry home."
"This girl of a brat...!"
Kani's self-esteem to have been crushed by every word Ratih said. But even so, she couldn't leave because the rice at home had run out. There is no money for medicine as well as shopping. Kani intended to suppress Ratih, and now she was humiliated. Kani regrets that her brother's stubborn nature has passed on to her nephew.
Therefore, the harsh nature of the late Subandi—Ratih's Dad—formed the delinquent personality now attached to Ratih. Luckily, Ratih is an intelligent person. Not only at school but socially. She can behave and speak according to the situation. She is smart and strong, which makes Kani unable to seize Subandi's house papers.
Not being answered for a long time, Ratih then stood up. She headed for her room quickly. Taking a bundle of one million bills was the plan.
"Here!" Ratih threw the money in front of Kani without even respect because she was fed up with it. "That's one million rupiahs. It should be enough to eat in one week if you're not extravagant. Don't spend on unnecessary things. Lower your prestige. If Uncle's medicine runs out, buy it immediately. After all, you don't pay rent house to me, do you? So I think the amount of money is already enough."
Kani snorted. "You are disobedient, Ratih!"
"Why am I still disobedient in your eyes? I have given money to you! It's Auntie herself who makes it difficult. Besides, your fault because pretending not to want to use a health insurance card for Uncle. You already know if you are poor, but you are very arrogant, and you want to seem rich in other people's eyes."
Money can make people speechless, and the saying is true. It was proven when Kani chose to give in. She grabbed the money and then stood up from the couch she was sitting on. Without thinking, without even saying thank you, Kani gradually stepped out of the house.
After her auntie left, Ratih lowered her head. She gave up on everything. Her tears always come out if she feels the pain of her fate. Her white and smooth cheeks were then wet by her tears. A few seconds later, she dropped her body. Ratih sobbed. Physical strength did not necessarily make her heart more steadfast in facing every problem.
***
Several people dressed in all black gathered in an old building, one of Daichi Lesmana's assets. A chair like a throne sits a handsome, sharp-eyed man wearing a similar outfit. His face was a flat expression, with tightly pressed lips.
"The weapon has been successfully smuggled and reached the customer, Mr. Dewa," reported one member of the dark organizations.
Suga, aka Dewa, glanced at him. "Good, continue another list and do it carefully," he said.
"Yes, Mr. Dewa!"
"Number 245?"
A man Suga's age then faced. "Present, Mr. Dewa!" he replied.
"Your job?"
"About Ra-ratih?"
"How many tasks did I give you?"
"J-just one, Mr. Dewa."
"Why should you ask again?" Suga, aka Dewa, took a deep breath. "Use your brain well, but if you can't, stab your tongue with a dagger."
"O-oh, Mister, I'll be sharpening my brain."
"Stupid ... share the information you get."
The man cleared his throat as if seeking Suga's attention. He put his body up, then said, "Ratih Kembang Gayatri, live in the Merpati housing complex nu-number…." He had not memorized the digits of Ratih's house number, so he grabbed a note from his pocket. "Nu-number 18 EG, Street—"
"Then what about her family?" said Suga.
The man with number 245 then cleared his throat again. "Ratih is the only puppet child of Subandi and Lastri. But both of her parents had left the world. She was raised by her aunt since childhood and currently lives alone."
"Orphan…?" Suga mumbled.
Suga wiped his lower lip. He is to be thinking about something. Of course, to silence Ratih. If Ratih is an orphan, it will make Suga not tricky to take care of the woman. Making Ratih depressed, of course, will create fear for the woman. Threats from Suga through his mafia gang will make Ratih not dare to talk about Suga's facial problems to other people. And, of course, that man's identity would be secure forever.
"Send two persons and kidnap the woman. Do it carefully without getting caught. Do not use any weapons. All you face is a woman. And every member of your body that makes a mistake, I will cut it off mercilessly," Suga ordered.
"Yes, Mister!"
Its members, numbering dozens of people, answered simultaneously. And, they always bow down to Suga because of that man's violent abilities and genius. Apart from the remains of Daichi Lesmana's subordinates, most of the mafia members were former street children rescued by Suga.
Of course, maintaining loyalty is a way of returning favours rather than starving to death on the streets. As long as you always comply, the soul is still attached to the body. For them, Suga is a God figure. As his name implies, Suga saved those people's lives. Well, it's just a spontaneous thought as a human.
***